The area

Muonio is located in the Finish part of Lapland. The town is about 200 km north of the polar circle. The landscape and the nature are one of the most beautiful areas of Lapland. It is part of the transition zone between forest and mountain Lapland. In the west the community borders on the Muonionjoki River, the principle arm of Tornionjoki River, one of the great waters in Europe. That area, also known as "the quietest border in the world" has fascinated famous world travelers and hikers for centuries. Muonio is a dream destination for travelers looking for individual natural tourist benefits.

Population density is 1.3 inhabitants per km2. The most important natural sights close by are the Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park and the Muonionjoki which is also the border river to Sweden. The polar night lasts from the beginning of December until almost mid of January (about 13 January), whereas the polar day lasts from the beginning of June until the beginning of August. Muonio is a community in Finish Lapland in which Samish, an independent language of the Finno-Ugric language family, has the status of an official language. Muonio is a very successful community. The reasons therefore are the testing tracks for European car and tire producers. The "Audi driving experience" has been carrying out several driving trainings for customers and enthusiastic drivers on lakes in winter for years.

Due to its sub arctic location the winter sport season starts in Muonio very early. Almost all national teams in the world of cross-country skiing and biathlon go to Muonio in October/November. As soon as the first snow falls in October, the prepared and lighted slopes of the Olos area attract many people. All winter long there are hundreds of cross-country skiing tracks. The first international competitions take place in Biathlon at the Olostunturi every year at the end of November. The most important skiing event in Muonio is the "Laponia Hiihto". The Euroloppet cross-country skiing event leads through the Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park every year in March.

Muonio in web

www.muonio.fi

The race

Dive in another world - Lapponia Hiihto - the Euroloppet skiing week in Lapland.

It's Friday, in the first week of April, 4:30 h, the alarm rings, get out of the bed! Preparing fast the drinking bottles, fresh cloths and a bar in the backpack, and then it's time for breakfast. Gruel, salmon and crisp bread are the choice, the nervous stomach will be happy about that! We are in Finland, on a map you can find at the top Muonio, near the Swedish border, the nearest bigger city at the winter sports center Olos. Here, every year an extraordinary cross-country skiing event is taking place, the Lapponia Ski Week. After the Skadi Loppet in Bodenmais and before the marathon in Murmansk, it is the pre last challenge of the Euroloppet series in the end of March. Two hours after the breakfast, a bus leaves from Olos to Ounasjarvi, to the start at the Hotel Hetta. During the one hour taking journey, only one car passes us, a thing which don't have anything to do with the time. In this area of ice and snow, the inhabitants use snow mobiles or just stay at home. It's 8:30 h, the starting signal form y last seasonal race is given. Just one more time, running a distance over 80 km in about 3 and a half hours. Long ascents are going towards the sky, which aren't too heavy. Risky, adventurous descents demand full concentration. The wind and the direction of the wind are playing a big role; hiding in a group of runners isn't the bad decision at all times. Partly, you run over creamy, fresh traces of snowmobiles through the Fjalls of Lapland in direction to the finish. You should agnize the last 30 km. Why? So, back to the start. Who packs the skies for the race on Friday, already absolved two races, the 60 km circle on Monday and the 50 km race on Wednesday. Also, those are a real challenge. The first race is the hardest of the Lapponia Hiihto, how the race is called by the Finnish athletes. On Wednesday 50 km by cross-country skiers away from Olos, on the lake Vuontisjarvi, the second race will be started. The twisting last thirty kilometers, from Pallas, which are also to absolve in the 80 km race, are really funny! This is the way, the adventure in Olos ends and will be celebrated in the evening with the award ceremony, music and dance. Result: The beautiful net of slopes and the special atmospehere are good for a journey. Impressive is the thinking of the Finns who love cross-country skiing and that's the reason wh they are running! : it's an experience! By the way, in 2009 short distances will be available for all tracks. So, on Monday 30 km, on Wednesday 25 km and on Friday 40 km. Additionally, one week after the Skating week, a week in the classic technique will be offered.

Some information about the journey:
The flight and the accomodation, with the wonderful 4 star hotel in Olos, everything ist o handle without problems. Arrival on Saturday and one week later on Saturday departure for a absolutely cheap price, for Scandinavian conditions.

(see the offer from Euroloppet Travel)